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Apply Now for AmeriCorps Host Sites

AMES, Iowa – Community organizations across the state can apply to become Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach host sites. The application deadline is May 27.

“AmeriCorps is a national service program,” said Judy McCarthy, with Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach. “In Iowa, it is a cost-effective way for meeting identified community needs, and that is very important. It also provides opportunities for people to serve and help their communities.”

The Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach program is a partnership between AmeriCorps and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The program seeks community programs and organizations that serve K-12 youth and want to boost their youth development activities. For example, AmeriCorps 4-H members have helped organizations develop mentoring or tutoring programs, enhance out-of-school programs or expand youth philanthropy and community service.

Any youth-serving non-profit organization, school, government agency or faith-based program is eligible to apply to participate in the broad-based youth development program. AmeriCorps is a cost effective way to expand youth programming in communities or to offer new programs, McCarthy added.

The application to become an Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach host site is due May 27. Host sites will be announced in June, and from there, the sites will recruit AmeriCorps members to serve their programs. Members begin working in September, and will work for a year.

“Members of the program will be trained on research-based 4-H youth development practices,” said McCarthy. “This year we’re putting more of an emphasis on the science, technology, engineering and math areas and healthy living programming in support of the governor’s statewide initiatives. This program is a great opportunity for members to explore career options, build their resumes, develop new skills and knowledge and earn money to pay for college and other expenses.”

About Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach Program

The AmeriCorps program is administered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, which coordinates the activities of AmeriCorps members serving in communities across the state. Members lead efforts to recruit and mobilize volunteers, often 4-H’ers, for a variety of educational activities and programs, coordinate community youth leadership initiatives, develop new partnerships between private organization and youth-serving programs and design and develop community service learning projects.